Westinghouse Electric, a nuclear energy company and a supplier of nuclear plant products and technologies to utilities across the world, has partnered with Vitkovice, a Czech engineering company, to construct and install modules for the new nuclear power plants at the Temelin site in the Czech Republic.
Vitkovice will work together with Metrostav, Toshiba and Westinghouse as a potential fabricator of major structural and mechanical equipment components for the AP1000 reactors.
The collaboration is another key milestone in Westinghouse's efforts to develop and offer a highly competitive contract to CEZ for building two AP1000 reactors in the Czech Republic. Earlier, several exclusive Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between Westinghouse and Czech companies, like Metrostav and Energo. These partnerships will help establish a high-quality, strong local supply chain.
The AP1000 reactor was developed to utilize contemporary modular-construction methods, which enable numerous construction activities to take place simultaneously. This decreases the time required for construction of nuclear plants, thus decreasing the financing risks and the cost.
Randy Galm, VP, EMEA Business & Development, Westinghouse, noted that the fabrication of modules for the nuclear power facilities provides an excellent opportunity for both the companies to export those components across Europe. In addition, it further reinforces their regional supply chain base and provides additional opportunities to Vitkovice and other manufacturing firms in the country.
Source: http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/